Reading desk



March 15, 1932. K, U 1,849,990

READING DESK Filed May 1, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IDS/7Z7; or.

March 15, 1932. QTSUKI 1,849,990

READING DESK Filed May 1, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [r2 vejyor'} KO 75 (/K/ 5 6 Patented Mar. 15, 1932 KISABURO OTSUKI, OF OAKLAND, QALIFORNIA READING DESK Application filed May -1, 1929. Serial No. 359,614.

This invention relates to improvements in reading desks and has particular reference to a reading desk which may be employed for either holding the reading matter with a backward slant or a forward slant, so that a person may use the same while sitting in a chair or lying in bed.

Another object is to produce a device which will securely hold the book or reading matter in such a manner that the same may be readily turned to the most convenient angle.

A further object is to provide means whereby the device may be adjusted relative to height.

A still further object is to produce a device which is economical to manufacture and simple in construction.

Other objects and advantages will be ap parent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device partly in cross section,

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the hinged portion of my support,

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the supporting portion of the hinge,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail view showing the position the parts will take when the reading matter is held on a forward incline,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the parts wherein the reading matter is held in a rearwardly inclined position,

Figure 6 is a front elevation of Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of the leaf holding wire,

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure 6,

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view showing the rotatable stop, and

Figure 11 is a detail side elevation illustrating the rack adjusted for operation on a table or similar support.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a base having upstanding tubular portion 6, provided with a set screw 7. WVithin this-tubular member 6 is a standard 8 upon which a sliding bracket-9 is adapted to move. This bracket is held in adjusted position by a set screw 11. Upon the free end of the bracket 9 is hingedly mounted throughthe medium of a rivet 12, a supporting hinge 13. Pivoted within the hinge l3 is a hingedmember consisting of a base plate 14 and a'pivoted plate 16. The base plate llhas upturned edges 17 and 18. A handle 19 having arms 21 and 22 provided with inturned ends 23 forms the hinge con-, nection between the ears of the hinged member 13 and the base plate 14, (see F igure 2).

This handle 19 can be readily employed to hold the book rest at an angle on a desk or like support. Of course in this construction the base 5 and the other cooperating parts are moved and the ends of the brace 24' will be received in the loops of the handle 19.

A substantially U-shaped brace 24 has outwardly turned ends which engage the upturned edges 17 and 18 and has its central portion connected to the rear of the rack 26. This rack 26 has a ledge 27 secured to its lower edge underneath which is a tapered turnable button 28. The purpose of the button is to provide adjustment for slanting the rack when it is thrown to the dotted line position of Figure 1. This button contacts with the end of the supporting hinge 13 and by rotating the button so that either the thick end or the thin end lies between the rack 26 and the hinge 13, the angle of inclination will be changed. A U-shaped rod 29 is pivoted to the rear of the rack 26 and has a wire 31 extending between the ends of the arms. Rests 32 are provided for and act as a support when the book rest is placed on a desk. A latch 33 is pivoted to one side of the rack 26 the purpose of which is to retain the rod 29 and the wire 31 in adjusted position against the book as shown at A, Figure 6.

It will be seen that when a book is positioned on the rack as shown in Figure 6, by

grasping the handle 19, the book supporting rack may be pivoted upon its rivet 12 and by operating the set screws 7 and 11, the entire device may be raised or lowered. Due to the curvature of the bracket 9, the same can easily extend over the arm ofa chair or the bed. Should the person be lying down, by tipping the book rack 26 to the dotted line position of Figure 1, the person may look up at the 10 book which is suspended in an easily readable position. I

It will be obvious that the device can be used as amusic stand, a stand for holding stenographers notebooks and has other uses too numerous to mention.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim. p I I Having thus described my invention, I

claim 1 In a book rest, a. base plate having upturned edges, a rack pivotally secured to said base plate, a pivot member secured to said base plate, said pivot member having loops formed therein, a U shaped member pivoted to said rack, the ends of said U shaped memher being adapted to engage the loops of said pivoted member for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

KISABURO OTSUKI. 

